Last Updated: Nov 2024 (Lithium (UPSC Notes India))
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Lithium (UPSC Notes India)
This article deals with ‘Lithium (UPSC Notes India).’ This is part of our series on ‘Geography’, which is an important pillar of the GS-1 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.
Introduction
- Lithium is the lightest solid metal.
- It is mainly produced from hard rock or brine mines.
- Major Lithium Ores include
- Spodumene: Primary source of Lithium which contains high concentrations of Lithium (between 3% to 7.6%)
- Petalite: Another important Lithium ore.
Use of Lithium
Lithium Batteries
- Lithium Batteries or Lithium-ion Batteries is the primary use of Lithium due to their use in electric vehicles, smartphones, tablets, laptops etc. Lithium-ion batteries are popular as they have high energy density, long lifespan, and lightweight nature.
Other Minor Uses
- Heat-resistant glass and ceramics
- Lithium Grease Lubricants: These can withstand high temperatures
- Flux additives for iron, steel and aluminium production
- Optics
- Thermonuclear Weapons
- Coolant in Nuclear Processes: Lithium has the highest specific heat capacity of all the solids
- Fuel for Rocket Propellants: Complex hydrides of Lithium such as Li[AlH4]
Due to its uses, it is one of the most sought-after commodities and is called ‘WHITE GOLD.’
Global Distribution
- Australia: It is the world’s biggest supplier, which produces it from hard rock mines.
- Lithium Triangle: The Lithium Triangle consists of Lithium rich region in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.
- Chile: It is the second-largest producer of Lithium. Salar de Atacama is very rich in Lithium.
- Argentina: It is found in the salt flats of Salinas Grandes and Hombre Muerto.
- Bolivia: It is found in the brine deposits of Salar de Uyuni.
- China: China’s Tibet, Qinghai, and Sichuan are rich in Lithium.
- Canada: In Canada, Quebec is rich in Lithium.
- United States: Nevada, North Carolina, and California have Lithium deposits.
However, its extraction has a negative externality on the environment.
- The Brine Evaporation Method is used to produce Lithium, and the process requires a massive amount of freshwater (2000 tons of water is required to produce 1 ton of Lithium.
- Chemicals such as Sulphuric Acid are used in the extraction of Lithium. These chemicals contaminate the ecosystem.
Indian Distribution of Lithium
- In India, the first traces of Lithium were discovered in the ancient igneous rock of Karnataka’s Mandya district.
- Apart from that, Lithium reserves are also found in
- Jammu and Kashmir (projected deposit of 5.9 million tons, one of the highest in the world)
- Chattisgarh (India’s first Lithium Mine was successfully auctioned in Korba District in 2024)
- Karnataka
- Jharkhand
- Brine Lakes of Rajasthan and Gujarat
- But currently, India imports all its lithium needs from other countries.
Steps taken by Indian Government
- National Mission on Transformative Mobility: To encourage domestic Lithium-Ion Cell manufacturing and EV components.
- ISRO and BHEL Agreement: To develop low-cost lithium-ion batteries.
- India’s first lithium cell plant manufacturing facility will be launched in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh.
- Strengthening relationship with Lithium Triangle Nations: India is focusing on ‘Lithium Triangle’ nations Argentina, Bolivia and Chile.
- Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN): It is a US-led initiative to strengthen cooperation between the member countries to secure the supply chains of critical minerals. India is part of the initiative.